Systems and methods for securing panels to information handling system chassis

Abstract

Systems and methods that may be implemented to secure a bezel over a face of an information handling system chassis by using magnetic force to draw in and retain a ferromagnetic bezel latch pin in a latching position relative to complementary latch structure of the chassis. The disclosed systems and methods may be implemented in a manner that minimizes functional intrusions on the front (or other side) of a chassis enclosure to which a bezel is secured, that reduces the number and/or complexity of mechanical features that are conventionally employed, and/or that presents both an intuitive and pleasant user experience for the end user.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A panel configured to be received over an opening of a chassis enclosure, the panel comprising:
 a panel body; and 
 at least one ferromagnetic latching pin provided within at least one edge of the panel; 
 where the latching pin is configured to move outward from the edge of the panel to at least partially extend from the panel edge toward a side of the chassis opening to secure the panel over the chassis enclosure opening in response to an external magnetic force applied to the latching pin from the side of the chassis opening. 
 
     
     
       2. The panel of  claim 1 , where the latching pin is configured to move outward from the edge of the panel to at least partially extend from the panel edge toward a first side of the chassis opening to secure the panel over the chassis enclosure opening in response to a magnetic force applied to the latching pin from at least one magnet mounted at the first side of the chassis opening when the panel is received over the chassis enclosure opening. 
     
     
       3. The panel of  claim 1 , further comprising a retraction spring within the panel that is coupled to retain the latching pin in a retracted position within the panel in the absence of the external magnetic force, and to move the latching pin from the at least partially extended position to the retracted position when the external magnetic force applied to the latching pin is removed. 
     
     
       4. The panel of  claim 1 , further comprising a latch component coupled to be actuated by a user to move the latching pin from the at least partially extended position to a retracted position in the presence of the external magnetic force applied to the latching pin so as to allow the panel to be removed from the chassis enclosure opening. 
     
     
       5. The panel of  claim 1 , where the panel is an elongated panel having first and second opposing ends; where the latching pin is provided within an edge of the second end of the panel; and where the panel further comprises at least one fixed stud extending from the first end of the panel. 
     
     
       6. The panel of  claim 1 , where the panel is an elongated panel having opposing first and second ends; where a first ferromagnetic latching pin is provided within an edge of the first end of the panel; where a second ferromagnetic latching pin is provided within an edge of the second end of the panel; and where each of the first and second ferromagnetic latching pins are configured to move outward and at least partially extend from a respective panel edge toward a corresponding side of the chassis opening to secure the panel over the chassis enclosure opening in response to an external magnetic force applied to the latching pin. 
     
     
       7. The panel of  claim 1 , where the panel is a front bezel configured to be received over a front opening of a rack mount chassis enclosure for an information handling system. 
     
     
       8. A chassis enclosure system for an information handling system, comprising:
 a chassis enclosure having an opening defined therein and configured to receive a panel over the opening; and 
 at least one magnet mounted at one or more sides of the chassis enclosure opening, the magnet being positioned to apply a magnetic force to a ferromagnetic latching pin provided within at least one edge of the panel when the panel is received over the chassis enclosure opening so as to cause the latching pin to move outward from the edge of the panel to at least partially extend from the panel edge toward the side of the chassis opening to secure the panel over the chassis enclosure opening. 
 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 8 , where a side opening is defined in at least one side of the chassis enclosure opening between the magnet and an inner face of the chassis enclosure opening, the side opening being configured to receive the partially extended latching pin when the panel is received over the chassis enclosure opening with the side opening and the latching pin in aligned relationship. 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 8 , where the panel is an elongated front bezel; where the opening defined in the chassis enclosure is an elongated front chassis enclosure opening having opposing first and second sides and configured to receive the elongated front bezel having first and second opposing ends with the first end of the bezel positioned adjacent the first side of the chassis enclosure opening and with the second end of the bezel positioned adjacent the second side of the chassis enclosure opening; where the at least one magnet is mounted at the second side of the chassis enclosure opening; and where at least one side opening is defined at the first side of the chassis enclosure that is configured to receive at least one fixed stud extending from the first end of the elongated bezel at the same time that the magnet causes the latching pin to move outward from the edge of the bezel to at least partially extend from the bezel edge toward the side of the chassis opening such that the latching pin is received in a second side opening defined at the second side of the chassis enclosure to secure the bezel over the chassis enclosure opening. 
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 8 , where the panel is an elongated front bezel; where the opening defined in the chassis enclosure is an elongated front chassis enclosure opening having opposing first and second sides and configured to receive the elongated front bezel having first and second opposing ends with the first end of the bezel positioned adjacent the first side of the chassis enclosure opening and with the second end of the bezel positioned adjacent the second side of the chassis enclosure opening; where the at least one magnet includes a first magnet mounted at the first side of the chassis enclosure opening and a second magnet mounted at the second side of the chassis enclosure opening; and where the first magnet is configured to cause a first latching pin of the bezel to outwardly extend from the edge of the first end of the bezel toward the first side of the chassis opening such that the first latching pin is received in a first side opening defined at the first side of the chassis enclosure at the same time that the second magnet is configured to cause a second latching pin of the bezel to outwardly extend from the edge of the second end of the bezel toward the second side of the chassis opening such that the second latching pin is received in a second side opening defined at the second side of the chassis enclosure to secure the bezel over the chassis enclosure opening. 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 8 , further comprising the panel received over the chassis enclosure opening with the latching pin at least partially extending from the panel edge toward the side of the chassis opening to secure the panel over the chassis enclosure opening. 
     
     
       13. The system of  claim 12 , where the panel further comprises a latch component coupled to be actuated by a user to move the latching pin from the at least partially extended position to a retracted position in the presence of the external magnetic force applied to the latching pin so as to allow the panel to be removed from the chassis enclosure opening. 
     
     
       14. The system of  claim 12 , where the panel is an elongated front bezel; where the bezel is an elongated bezel having opposing first and second ends and where the opening defined in the chassis enclosure is an elongated front chassis enclosure opening having opposing first and second sides; where a first ferromagnetic latching pin is provided within an edge of the first end of the bezel and a second ferromagnetic latching pin is provided within an edge of the second end of the bezel; where a first magnet is provided at the first side of the chassis enclosure opening and a second magnet is provided at the second side of the chassis enclosure opening; and where each of the first and second ferromagnetic latching pins are held in at least partially extended position from a respective edge of the bezel toward a corresponding respective first or second side of the chassis opening by external magnetic force applied by a corresponding respective first or second magnet to secure the bezel over the chassis enclosure opening. 
     
     
       15. The system of  claim 8 , where the chassis enclosure comprises a rack mount chassis enclosure for an information handling system.